H.E. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, a member of the ruling Ajman Royal Family, popularly known as ‘The Green Sheikh’ for his environmental advocacy, was the honorary guest during the ‘Earth Day @ ALHOSN’ celebration held yesterday (Monday, April 25, 2011) at ALHOSN University’s American Corner.

Organized by the ALHOSN Green Club in cooperation with the university’s American Corner and the Department of Urban Planning, the eco-awareness event was part of activities held by ALHOSN University in commemoration of World Earth Day 2011. The evening featured a screening of ‘The End of the Line,’ a major documentary film on the drastic impact of overfishing on the earth’s oceans, followed by a panel discussion on key environmental issues with emphasis on overfishing.

The panel included Sheikh Al Nuaimi; Thabit Abdessalam from the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency; Proscilla Guzman from the US Embassy; and Tini Meyer, an international contemporary artist. Dr. Adnan Husnein, Green Club Advisor and Chair of the Urban Planning Department, acted as a moderator. The event was highlighted by H.E. Sheikh Al Nuaimi’s presentation on his environmental activities and experiences, after which H.E. addressed questions from the audience.

“H.E. Sheikh Al Nuaimi is a role model for our students because his environmental exploits began when he was just a child. Many of our youngsters are either unaware or unconcerned over the consequences of rapid development on the environment. We commend the Green Club for conceptualizing Earth Day @ ALHOSN as a unique opportunity for turning our attention to some of the world’s most pressing environmental concerns, and for inviting one of the UAE’s environmental champions to enlighten us on what we can do to help in protecting and conserving our natural resources,” said Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO, ALHOSN University.

H.E. Sheikh Al Nuaimi’s passion and concern for the environment began as early as six years of age, when he accompanied his father on hunting trips in which they used trained falcons instead of guns. His short stint in the petroleum industry opened his eyes to the destructive impact of human activities on the environment and convinced him to take up a career in environmental engineering. H.E. Sheikh Al Nuaim has a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and a PhD in Industrial Ecosystems. His official roles include Environmental Adviser to the Ajman Government, Chairman of Ajman’s Green Base Environmental Services, and Founder of the Majlis for Holistic Knowledge and Holistic Health.
The Green Club at ALHOSN University is a student-run organization which encourages students to be more actively involved in environmental protection. Its eco-initiatives range from interschool competitions to environmentally-themed trips. The club supports national campaigns such as ‘Heroes of the UAE’ to help spread more environmental awareness among UAE residents.